Idiots in Charge
Submitted by DaveI on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 12:13
Well we’ve just had another example of socialism at its best within the great city of Toronto. The city council and the school boards are made up of a majority of liberals and socialists who concern themselves with trees and pesticides, keeping homeless people supplied with booze etc while allowing a propane gas Company to locate in a residential area. It would appear to me that this minor infraction (cough cough) would have had someone in that area of government a little concerned about the potential danger this might pose for the residents living around this depot. Of course not, this is a practical issue that doesn’t solicit a hug and a “feel good” moment for our compassionate crowd. Now this thing blows up and they are all scrambling around trying to find someone to blame instead of themselves. Typical “CYA” from this bunch of incompetent idiots. They spend tax money like drunken sailors (sorry sailors) and then turn around and decide to close public swimming pools because they can’t meet the budget. They drive businesses out of the city because of regulations and taxes and then come around again at tax time with their hands out because revenue is down. There is a department within the municipal government of Toronto that is in charge of zoning by laws. Where and what were these folks doing? I guarantee they were receiving a salary but other than that your guess is as good as mine. They play at being in power with an arrogance that is insulting to the taxpayer and for the most part we just shake our heads. Well this can’t be allowed to pass by without someone being held responsible. I know liberals and socialists don’t like the words accountability and responsibility but this was too close to a disaster that it can’t be allowed to be shoved under the rug. At least one fireman died as a result of this mishap and God knows how lucky we are that many more did not perish. The Walkerton water fiasco was another example of lax local oversight. The people blamed the last time were the Provincial government who were several arm’s length’s away. No, not this time the buck stops at the municipal level and I would caution other like-minded city and town politicians to get off their butts and make sure their houses are in order. Let’s let the trees, parks, birds etc fend for themselves for a short while so the safety of our neighbours can be moved up the priority list.
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Idiots
Last I heard they haven't established how this tragedy started.
I think it's unfair to be blaming liberal tree hugging politicians.
Remember, we live in a democratic society. Politicians speak for the people they represent. If your local politician is out there hugging trees it's because her constituents told her that's important to them.
I have the deepest sympathies for the emergency workers, families and businesses affected by this terrible explosion.
I would be interested, though, to know how many people came forward when this company moved in?
When you buy a new home, you need to research the neighbourhood you're buying into.
Once you're living there, you need to pay attention to the press releases that announce zoning changes. You imply that some of these zoning officers may have been asleep at the wheel....maybe you're right but I've seen no proof of that.
However, I do know that zoning changes are public....they're posted in various forums and opportunity is given for area residents to have their say.
I get so tired of people complaining about work being done on their streets or new businesses opening up next door. Meanwhile, they didn't bother to pay attention to the newspaper to see that the proposal was announced and a public forum was open to them.
It's like the people who buy a house next to the railroad tracks and then complain about the noise...or the people who buy property on a working canal and get pissed off because a laker docks in front of their house for the winter. Come on.....do your research...these things were there before you got there!
But once you're there, you still need to pay attention to what else might move in next door. And if ya snooze ya lose.
As a union rep I'm often bombarded with people saying 'what do you mean our union is spending money' on this or that. I walk them over to the union board and show them the copy of the agenda of the meeting they missed where the issue was discussed and voted on.
You talk about accountability....well my friend, as far as I'm concerned, accountability starts when you look at yourself in the mirror every morning.
THAT is democracy.
Blame
I generally give the benefit of the doubt when there are no established facts but in this case there are two facts that are undeniable. Why the explosion happened is not relevant to my point nor is relevant as to whether people complained or not. The fact that a potential time bomb (propane gas depot) was allowed to be built in a residential community cannot be denied. Nor can it be denied that the municipal government controls and polices zoning by laws. In respect to accountability for this incident nothing else matters. Once people are elected into office they are supposed to fulfill their jobs whether they got 51% of the vote or 75% of the vote. They are accountable to all of the people not only those that voted for them. I'm afraid the mirror would crack if these pinochio types looked at it.
Blame
I don't know a lot about municipal zoning laws, but I do know that whenever there is a zoning change it goes to the public for input.
Further, I know that Toronto is not the only Municipality that has allowed a propane company in a residential neighbourhood.
Now, I'm not saying that's a good thing. What I'm saying is that there must have been some research put in to the safety and security of these companies before they were allowed to build in any neighbourhood.
As for the fellow who accused me of blaming the victims, I strongly disagree.
I'm simply saying that we all need to take ownership of what happens in our neighbourhoods.
As I said, Toronto is not the only Municipality to allow this.
My Municipality had also allowed a propane company near a lakeside townhouse complex and a lovely marina. There was an explosion there not long ago. I live about 10 km away and at the time I was incensed about it.
But you know, I couldn't tell you if they ever reopened.
This Toronto incident made me think. Why did I drop the ball? Why didn't I do more research and find out if they reopened and if so what the safety issues were. I take my son to a nearby restaurant there on occassion.
This has made me open my eyes to MY responsibility in all of this.
Blaming politicians is easy...and as far as I'm concerned, it's a cop out.
Blame
Spoken like a true Liberal. Blame the victims! Its everyone's fault but your beloved idiots. Democracy's great but its killing Toronto. almost 50% of people living in T.O. are first generation immigrants. That is why the huggers are in power because they are an immigrant friendly Government. And I'm sorry, you're way of thinking is the other reason they're in power.